Buick Roadmaster Convertible, 1948
Buick Roadmaster IV
Buick Roadmaster IV•
•12 views
Chassis No.: 14860277
Auction: Monterey 2018
Auction date: August 25, 2018
Lot No.: F59
$45,000 | High bid
- Exterior: Maroon
- Interior: Tan
- Body: Convertible
- Resto Rod built in the 1990s by Ken Schmidt of Sacramento, California
- Ken Schmidt was the founder of the Buick Club of America California Capitol Chapter
- He also owned the Buick Bonery, the largest Buick scrap yard in the country
- Ken Schmidt was also known as The Buick Guru
- The car was completed in 2018 by Ken’s Schmidt daughter and her husband
- Frame-off restoration completed in 2018
- 1966 Buick Riviera drivetrain and front suspension clip
- 425 CI V-8 engine
- Automatic transmission
- California YOM plates
- Power steering
- Power brakes
- Power windows
- Power bucket seats with lap belts
- Buick Riviera center console, shifter
- Buick Riviera tilt steering wheel
- Power-operated tan soft top and boot
- Push-button radio, dash clock
- Custom upholstery
- Upgraded radiator
- Fresh chrome, fender skirt
- New steel wheels with chrome trim rings and hub caps
- New wide whitewall tires
- 1st Place winner in 2000 CA Capitol Chapter Buick Club of America Western Regional Meet
The Buick Roadmaster became a noteworthy icon of America’s postwar automotive boom, but there were never a significant number of these now-scarce vehicles modified for custom-type reuse. After all, a purchase of one of these touring models was a legacy of luxury for many owners. This beautiful red 1948 convertible, whose frame-off restoration was completed in 2018, was originally rebuilt as a Resto Rod by Ken Schmidt of Sacramento, California, in the 1990s. Known as the Buick Guru on the west coast, Mr. Schmidt was the founder of the Buick Club of America California Capitol Chapter and also owned the Buick Bonery, the largest Buick scrap yard in the country.
After his passing in 2010, this car was passed on to his daughter and her family completed a fresh restoration on the Roadmaster in 2018. Making use of classic body lines, conservative chrome application and carefully selected trim when new, this 1948 example in fact heralded the conclusion of the prewar-to-postwar transition on this body design and exudes the styling popularized by the fashion of streamlining. Most dynamic of the changes made to this car from its factory condition has been the installation of a 1966 Buick Riviera drivetrain and front suspension clip.
This upgrade features the legendary 425 CI V-8 engine with the uniquely molded air cleaner and backed with an automatic transmission. The convertible sheet metal itself was massaged back to form but not radically changed from its OEM appearance, and the car even features year-of-manufacture 1948 California license plates. The custom interior is done in tan, with excellent changes like bucket seats, a center console, vintage Buick console-mounted tachometer and lap belts, while still retaining the classic styling of the factory dash layout.
The most recent refreshing of this car has left it with gleaming chrome, with its overall attractiveness augmented with body-color red wheels and wide whitewall tires. During its past, this modified convertible was a first-place winner at the CA Capitol Chapter Buick Club of America Western Regional Meet, and its current condition should certainly allow its next owner to also enjoy similar recognition. A full-size classic with an upgraded driveline and beautiful appointments, this is a Buick Roadmaster which will live up to its moniker.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/336403/1948-buick-roadmaster-convertible/
